Commodore’s August Newsletter

Dear Members,  

     We are already half way through the Sailing Season and all of the Fleets, have had some great racing.  On the Sailing and Social Side, we have had the Flying Fifteen Open and 60th Anniversary Celebrations; Super Sunday Sprints; Coronation Day; First Pennant Weekend with sailing, music and dancing.  Unfortunately, the RNLI Race which should have been sailed on Saturday, 15th July, had to be cancelled, due to extreme weather conditions, but will be re-sailed on the 9th September.  For the second half of the Season, we have the Second Pennant Weekend; Class Meetings and Dinners; Belle Isle Race on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August and on the same day, the third Race Week for the Seventeen Foot Class.  The Commodore’s Day will be on 2nd September. 

 

Duty Roster for Safety Boat and Assistant Race Officer: 

     As in all my previous Newsletters, I ask Members to remember that, whether they are Social Sailors, people with Cruisers, or those who race, part of being a Club Member obliges you to help.  For new Members, it is a good way to meet like-minded people. 

 

Sailing/Safety/Life Jackets

     This is a reminder to all Members, that, Life Jackets must be worn at all times when on the water and when on Club Jetties.

 

     Seventeen Foot Class –  July saw a real mix of weather, in contrast to 2022, which was notable that the temperatures recorded all over Great Britain, were the hottest ever since records began, with some places exceeding 40 degrees centigrade.  The 17 Ft Class’s Second Race Week started on Saturday, 16th July and saw a great turn out of 14 yachts.  On Monday, we had a larger turnout, with 16 boats on the Start Line.  On Wednesday, the Seventeen Foot Yachts completed the first Round the Lake Race.  This traditional race was last competed for, pre-covid and sees the yachts sail down to the weather station in the Lower Lake, going up to Pull Wyke near Ambleside.  Chameleon won the Forward Trophy and Atholl won the Atholl Trophy.

     2024 will be the 120th Anniversary of the Seventeen Foot Class.  The Class is planning a year of celebration, when all Members of the RWYC, will be welcome to join in events.  

     Cruisers – We have had some good close racing, although, it would be good if there are a few more Cruisers racing.    

     Flying Fifteens – The Class is having a good season with some good turn outs on Thursdays and Saturdays, but it is always Sundays when they have their biggest Fleet. 

     Dinghies – We need to see more boats  coming to the Start Line.  Turnouts of five or six boats, is very disappointing for the Race Officer and his Assistants. 

 

August Calendar:

 12th and 13th August, All Fleets 2nd Pennant Weekend with music and food.   

26th August Seventeen Foot Class Owners Meeting.

28th August  Belle Isle Race

28th August the third Seventeen Foot Race Week

2nd September Commodore’s Day

14th October Solo Northern Series and GP Northern Bell – Open Event.

 

Guests:

     There has been a longstanding rule in the R.W.Y.C. that Members may bring guests into the Clubhouse for a maximum of three times in a year.  Should a guest come more than three times, then there is a charge of currently £10.  If you have brought a guest more than three times, you will be asked to make a donation.  The visitor and/or visitors must be signed into the Visitors Book which is located in the Entrance Hall beneath the Notice Board.

 

Future events not to be missed:

     Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th August – All Fleets – Second Pennant Weekend. 

We had a great time on the first weekend.  Please see the Poster on the Club Website and on the Notice Board inside the Club House.  Racing will be held throughout the afternoon.  The evening will have Live Music provided by Jim Bean playing from 7.30 pm.  An event for everybody, let us make it a great weekend. 

 

Saturday 2nd September, Commodore’s Day.  Everybody is welcome.  

     The Poster is now on the Club Website and on the Notice Board inside the Club House.  You need to book in with Zoe, or, on the Notice Board.  Most importantly, this is a Fun Day for Everybody – Grand Parents, Parents and Children. 

Hog Roast; Ice Cream; Fun on the water.  This will be a special event. 

 

The Belle Isle Challenge:

     Nigel Rider, is reminding us, that July is the Start of the Belle Isle Challenge Season.

One lap of Belle Isle, starting and finishing at the nearest white buoy to the RWYC jetties.

Total distance of 2.10 miles.

Choose your own day, direction round and method:  Anything not motorised, therefore, sailing, paddleboard, kayak, canoe, rowing boat, swimming, etc.

Record your time in the book (honesty system!) which is attached to the outside noticeboard next to the Clubhouse entrance.

Enter as often as you like, to improve your time or try different methods.

At the end of the Season, we’ll announce the person with the best time in each category, and decide the Overall Winner!

 

This is a busy stretch of water so please:

  • Avoid getting in people’s way and
  • Take sensible precautions (e.g. swimmers could have a kayak escort).

All Club boats, including paddleboards, are available for use, THEY MUST be booked out with Zoe after the relevant forms have been completed.  Please make sure you read the policy which is on the noticeboard before hiring any equipment.

 Training, Adult Squad and Club Clothing:    

     Adult Squad has had good sailing weather through most of July.  Regular participants are sailing their own boats with support and safety boat cover from Club Members and some are using the opportunity to practice skills, learnt from formal courses with Matthew Daly, who is our Chief Instructor.  RWYC Members, are all welcome to attend Adult Squad which runs from May to September on Sunday mornings, from 10.00 am until 12.00 pm. 

See https://www.royal-windermere.co.uk/adult-squad/  for more information.

 

Training and Club Clothing:

     The Junior Squad is developing well, with a Parents’ WhatsApp group being set up to encourage juniors into racing over the Summer.

     Training has continued through July with our weekly Youth Sessions, Power Boat and Sailing Courses being run throughout.

     As we enter August, our Activity Weeks will commence, luckily for your children or grandchildren, we still have some spaces available on a couple of the weeks.  These weeks are for 8 to 16 year olds, from Beginners to Stage 4.  All the information can be found on the Club website under Learn to Sail. 

     Contact Zoe if you wish to book any type of training via [email protected]

 

Club Clothing, such as Hoodies, can be obtained from our shop on the Coniston Clothing website.   

    

New Members

     We are looking forward to welcoming you at the Club at any time.  Friday nights and weekends are when you are most likely to meet other Members; Officers of the RWYC and Class Captains. 

 

Access to the RWYC Clubhouse and Social Events.         

     Please see the Club Website for details or the Posters on the Club Noticeboard, inside the Clubhouse. 

In all cases, please contact Zoe to book and confirm attendance via [email protected]

 

     Penny and myself are looking forward to seeing you at the RWYC. We are generally around on

Friday evenings throughout the year and Saturdays’ during the Sailing Season. 

 

     With Best Wishes,

     

     Nick Aubrey  (Commodore, RWYC)